By Roberto Lamprecht and Paul Gorgas
Waiting for the zero! Hertha has not yet won a competitive game – also because there has not been a game without conceding a goal so far
The team of coach Sandro Schwarz (43) conceded nine goals in four competitive games, last Friday the 0-1 in Gladbach – and now BVB is waiting.
The big problem: The new central defender duo with Marc Kempf (27) and Filip Uremovic (25) is not well-rehearsed, allows too many chances and loses the balls too easily in the build-up.
Central defender Marc Oliver Kempf is under criticism Photo: picture alliance/dpa
Kempf recently said to BZ: “On the defensive, a lot depends on being able to rely on the other.” That obviously takes time. Rear crunches and cracks it with mistakes and problems.
Against Dortmund, Kempf, who has been heavily criticized himself, will be supported by his closest colleague: Because Uremovic is suspended after his yellow-red card from Gladbach, Marton Dardai (20) will probably be in his place in the starting XI.
As an exception, Black has to make do with two left feet in the center, which have never played together like this before.
For Dardai, emergency defense is a new opportunity. In the past second half of the season, the junior national player only made seven part-time appearances. Even a change in the summer was in the room, according to BZ information, there should have been a request from the Belgian club Anderlecht.
Now Dardai gets the opportunity to excel in the starting eleven again – and finally close the defense.
Defender Dedryck Boyata leaves Hertha and moves to Bruges Photo: picture alliance/dpa/Revierfoto
Why hasn’t this worked so far? With Dedryck Boyata (31), Kempf’s defense partner from last season, the fourth central defender is about to leave. Niklas Stark (27/Bremen), Jordan Torunarigha (24/Gent) and Omar Alderete (25/Getafe) had previously left the club.
Means: Hertha’s old problems have not been solved to this day – no matter who plays in central defense.